Islamabad - Post Report Question and Answers
What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Islamabad Club is rather expensive, without good value for money and its clientele is mainly consisted of locals. Nightlife officially does not exist (without bars, discos, etc). However, there is a vibrant under cover nightlife, mainly with parties in the houses of expats, rich locals, etc, where the usual crowd is recycled. - Oct 2023
House parties remain the primary vehicle for socializing. It won’t take long to get invited to one where you’ll meet the local crowd. Pakistanis (particularly those with connections to the United States) are eager to welcome newcomers into their social circles; there’s a reason so many U.S. diplomats go back to Islamabad for repeat tours. - Jun 2022
Brits, Aussies, Canadians routinely have events to attend. - Feb 2019
The French, British, Canadian and Australian clubs often host regular events If you want to be social there is a nearly non-stop rotation of parties and dinner parties with expats and Pakistanis who have studied and/or lived abroad. If you're at the U.S. Mission, your social life will be vastly improved if you break out of the American bubble. - Sep 2016
Simple things only. Hosting dinners or house parties, meeting friends for picnics, hiking in the Margallas, arranging daytrips to nearby valleys, and so on. Remember: zero cinemas, theaters, operas, etc. in town. - Sep 2015
House parties, happy hours, and dinners out. - Aug 2015
eat out in a few areas, parties at one another's homes. - Aug 2015
House parties. Game nights. - Apr 2014
Shopping, entertaining at home, working out, eating out at restaurants, visiting Murree & Nathiagali. - Feb 2014
House or embassies parties and restaurants. - Dec 2013
House parties and restaurants. - Mar 2012
You have to make your own entertainment -- party with your friends at home. - Aug 2011
Most entertaining occurs at homes. Most houses are huge with ample space. Alcohol is hard to get outside of the embassy and is not available at restaurants. - May 2011
There are parties pretty much every weekend. Some are at Embassies, while others are at people's houses. There are dinner parties, brunches, etc. There are no clubs, but everyone is always out at dinners or at people's houses. Because most expats don't have kids it's a pretty party-centric environment. - Jan 2010
Most expats use the UN, the Canadian Club, etc., but we chose to socialise more with Pakistanis. We found this very rewarding and enriching. - Oct 2009
Mostly private gatherings. Very few public gatherings due to the security situation. - Oct 2008
